The candidates for the 2011 Orange Wednesdays Rising Star award were whittled down by a 14-member jury comprising actors, directors and producers – as well as Metro’s film critic, Larushka Ivan-Zadeh.

Previous winners of the public vote include James McAvoy , Eva Green , Noel Clarke and Kristen Stewart .

‘This is such an important award as it supports the new generation of actors and reflects the tastes of the cinema- going public,’ said jury member and award-winning director Tom Ford.

The panel, which selected names from those nominated by Bafta members, was chaired by An Education producer Finola Dwyer and also included actors Peter Sarsgaard and Natascha McElhone and actor-turned-singer Ben Drew, also known as Plan B.

‘The distinguished jury is a reflection of the importance and high regard the film industry places on the award,’ said Ms Dwyer.

Being on the jury was ‘a huge honour’, said Adulthood star Plan B.

Once the final eight is revealed, customers of the Orange Wednesdays promotion will whittle it down to five who then go before a public vote in January.

The Orange Rising Star winner will be announced at the Bafta awards in February.